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OPTIC VISUAL ANALYSIS METHOD

O = Overview: What is happening in the picture? Summarize the “action” of the visual without analyzing its meaning yet.

 

P = Parts of the picture: Break the picture down into sections. Describe the placement of objects on the canvas. Name everything that you see. Describe color, lighting, and movement in the picture.

 

T = Title: What does the title tell you about the picture? How much does it add to what you understand or do not understand about the picture? Explain your answers.

 

I = Interrelationships: Analyze the relationships in the picture. How do objects or people or colors relate to each other in the picture? What clues to the message or argument are these relationships giving you? What seems to be the most important “relationship” in the picture?

 

C = Conclusion: Draw a conclusion to the meaning or message of the picture based on what you have viewed and discussed as a group. Essentially, what is the argument the artist is trying to convey?

IN AN AGE OF INCREASING VISUAL MEDIA, media literacy is critical.  As you analyze visual texts (paintings, photographs, advertisements, maps, charts or graphs), the OPTIC strategy can help you construct meaning. Pay attention to details for effective analysis.
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